The Warriors (27-7) will try not to fall into the trap of overlooking their opponent again when the Jazz (15-20) take the floor. Yes, the Warriors played incredible defense and brought the intensity in their 97-92 Christmas Day win over the Cavaliers, but let’s not forget their effort in the game preceding the holiday showdown — an embarrassing 96-81 loss to Denver that featured a lackluster Golden State performance.
Although Jordan Bell has opened eyes as a starter at center, Zaza Pachulia (shoulder) will return to the starting lineup on Wednesday to help combat Utah’s Derrick Favors.
The Jazz will be playing a back-to-back after turning in a stinker of its own in Tuesday’s 107-83 loss in Denver. Utah has had to play without its top threat, center Rudy Gobert, who has missed time with a bruised left knee.
Utah, which was swept by the Warriors in the playoffs last season, features perhaps the NBA’s top rookie in former Louisville star Donovan Mitchell, who averages 17.9 points per game.
One streak the Jazz would like to see end is a run of nine losses in its last 10 games at Oracle. However, the oddsmakers don’t see that trend ending Wednesday — the Warriors are 11.5-point favorites.
Here are the projected starting lineups:
Warriors
C Zaza Pachulia
PF Draymond Green
SF Kevin Durant
SG Klay Thompson
PG Shaun Livingston
Jazz
C Derrick Favors
PF Jonas Jerebko
SF Joe Ingles
SG Donovan Mitchell
PG Ricky Rubio
